Do we all aspire to a better spec bike?

[ColinJ]

I tell you what ... if I win Froome's bike, I will donate one of my current bikes to a CycleChatter who rides the same size as me (58 cm)!

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

This year I have been through 4 bikes. I started the year on a Specialized allez which was stolen in June, replaced it with a Wilier Izoard XP which I crashed into the back of a van and broke the frame in less than 3 months. This was replaced with another Wilier, this time a GTR. I managed to hold onto this one for nearly 2 months before it was stolen. Now replaced with a Wilier Gran Turismo with DI2. I think I am keeping Wilier in business at the moment. I have also got a couple of frames to build up, I think you are always looking at something better!

 

[screenman]

I can ride that size if I put my leg under the cross bar.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Like @ColinJ I've got a bike that's better than my engine. So no more bikes for now, just a bit more strength and breath.

 

[Cuchilo]

I saw the bike I liked but couldn't warrant the money for something I didn't really know I would enjoy . I bought a lower spec bike and found out I really like it so put a deposit down on a higher spec bike than I liked in the first place .
December is not a good month for people paying what they owe you though so I guess I will have to wait

 

[Gravity Aided]

I think it is nice when folks want something better, keeps the economy humming right along. Have a bunch of bikes in the garage right now awaiting refurbishment to be sold to fund the next N+1 when the weather turns warm this spring.

 

[MontyVeda]

I'm of the mind set of, if i buy it, I'll use it 'til it doesn't work any more... hopefully I'll still be riding my trusty old P7 when i've retired

plus, i live in a flat... I've only got room for one... then again, a Brommy might fit

 

[Dan B]

No, not really. The pros all have £7000 bikes, but it's not the bikes that make them faster: I'm sure they'd still outclass me if I was on the Pinarello and they were on supermarket specials.

Beyond a certain level (bike is correctly sized and comfortable, gears work and don't need constant fettling, brakes make it stop) there's not really a lot of point in spending more and more

 

[HLaB]

No, not really. The pros all have £7000 bikes, but it's not the bikes that make them faster: I'm sure they'd still outclass me if I was on the Pinarello and they were on supermarket specials.

Beyond a certain level (bike is correctly sized and comfortable, gears work and don't need constant fettling, brakes make it stop) there's not really a lot of point in spending more and more

I really like the Coppi biography when the author is describing Faustino on his Butcher's bike beating other riders.

At a lesser level a mate of mine was wiped out by another cyclist on a sprint and had to borrow a 20year old road bike for a few weeks and he was still winning time trials

 

[cosmicbike]

I started out with wanting too upgrade to a better road bike, but then realised that I would gain nothing, since I'm not short of a few lb's to lose myself I'm lucky to have an MTB, hybrid and road, none of which are fancy but all have a purpose and generally get used. I did have my eye on a Felt carbon but given the Summer I've had couldn't justify it, and in hindsight that's no bad thing.
Only upgrade so far is the rear caliper on my Trek 1.2 from stock to 105, and then only 'cos I got that reasonably cheap and wanted cartridge pads.

 

[fossyant]

I think we all aspire to an N+1. I've been riding for lots of years and have 4 bikes. I keep thinking I'd like another, but I've got more than enough. Everyday commuter, MTB and two road bikes.

I also get quite attached to my bikes, hence three are 20 plus years old.

I tend to buy 'kit' now, be that clothing, tools and lights

 

[fossyant]

[QUOTE 2818742, member: 9609"]No, I aspire to be still riding my beloved steelie in 20 years time

same setting as per my avatar, my favourite cycling route, and I aspire to be going up and down this hill in 20 years time too.[/quote]

That stem is frightening. I assume there is an extender there

 

[numbnuts]

If you buy the best to start with there is no need to change, buy cheap you buy twice

 

[gavroche]

You can change your bike, but you can't change your legs.

 

[ColinJ]

You can change your bike, but you can't change your legs.

Yes you can - if you work at it! After about 2 months in bed last year, my leg muscles had atrophied, but now they are starting to get strong again.

I've been thinking - if I could afford it, I would buy a new Ti or 953 steel light touring/audax bike to replace my Basso.